YC the Cynic - Suicide

On ‘93 cut How U Get a Record Deal, Big Daddy Kane told rivals “Steppin’ to me is Suicide,” and went on to prove it, spitting bar after bar of scorching punchline lyricism. Though the fact that Kane himself is working on a comeback LP prevents me from even nominating YC the Cynic as a potential carrier-on of his legacy, the Bronx native and his esteemed collaborators certainly do the rap legend proud on this new mixtape leak. Beatsmiths Don Knottz & JFree establish a vibe that’s retro yet fresh, blending boom-bap percussion and throwback samples as the freestyle alum delineates his untouchable rhyme style: “I spit game fit for Ving Rhames, mixed with King Kong, mixed with King James.” Handling the joint’s latter two-thirds are Fully Equipped emcee Homeboy Sandman and Booth newcomer Niles, who lace the joint with, respectively, deadpan eccentricity (Sand even shouts-out his mother’s placenta) and lofty braggadocio (complete with references to the Book of Genesis andNinja Gaiden). Like what you’re hearing? Then prepare to Fall FWD on March 1, when YC’s latest street album arrives on the ‘net.